‘Coraline’ Creators Celebrate Its Halloween Re-Release After 15 Years: ‘It Has Its Place in Culture’

As a lifelong admirer of stop-motion animation and its painstaking process, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgic awe as I sat in the theater to watch the remastered version of “Coraline”. Fifteen years have passed since its initial release, yet the movie remains as captivating and relevant as ever.


Perfect timing for Halloween, the beloved movie “Coraline” returns to cinemas once more! This time, it’s been given an upgrade with improved sound, color, and even 3D enhancements.

Following a successful summer box office run following its 15-year anniversary rerelease, the spirited young character made her way back to cinemas on October 31 and November 1. Grossing $53 million worldwide, the stop-motion film demonstrated that it remains popular even among newer generations.

Ollie Jones, formerly an animator for the original film and now the head of practical effects at Laika, expressed that it’s a particularly unique chance for him and his kids to watch the movie in a theater. He finds it amazing to have the opportunity to interact with an audience once more.

As a film enthusiast, I find myself in awe at the enduring popularity of “Coraline.” It seems to have achieved a unique position in our collective cultural imagination, which every filmmaker dreams of. Back when we were working on it, Coraline was certainly a success, but did we ever imagine that it would be celebrated as a 20-year comeback anniversary kind of success?

Jones recounted a touching story that symbolized a milestone in his career: “Last night, I watched ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas,’ and as a teen, I dreamt about creating a film where characters from it would be displayed in Camden market stalls ten years after its release. Now, we’ve reached that point, and it’s almost surreal! It feels like the movie has become an integral part of our culture. Reflecting on this moment fifteen years later, I believe it underscores the wisdom behind the decisions made back then. I think it’s truly remarkable.

The second chance release allows a fresh group of kids to either develop affection for the peculiar preteen in the yellow raincoat, or be utterly frightened by the Other Mother. Interestingly, among those who are experiencing the stop-motion masterpiece for the first time are the very people who created “Coraline” themselves.

Sid Tucker, who was once an animator and now heads marketing and puppet restoration, shared her feelings about watching their film in a regular theater. She mentioned that the passage of time has allowed them to detach emotionally from the filmmaking process, making the viewing experience even more meaningful. They went as a group, not as a company outing, and it was refreshing to see other audience members too. The movie was a joy to watch without any professional obligations.

Rewatching the film also resurfaced memories from the process. The beauty of stop-motion is that everything must be made by hand, even more so back in 2006 when the film began its production. The infamously scary tunnel connecting Coraline to her Other Mother was made with an air hose attached to a glue gun sprayed over wires to get that cobweb effect. Likewise, Mr. Bobinsky, while a great circus man who can pirouette and trapeze on film, actually was not so nimble and flexible in real life, having to be repaired almost weekly due to his extreme stunts. “We gave him to our most careful — and I mean that sarcastically — animator, which is Brad Schiff, and he breaks everything he touches,” Jones said. “So I can only imagine he forced that puppet into doing everything that you see.”

What makes “Coraline” endure even today can be summarized as follows: The film and its youthful protagonist were remarkably forward-thinking for their era.

Tucker remarked that Wybie is the first male character specifically created to further the narrative of the female lead character.

In simple terms, Jones discussed the development of Coraline’s character, emphasizing the importance of portraying a genuine 12-year-old girl with all her flaws. They questioned whether she was initially relatable and likable, and if they could connect with her. The key aspect was making her a character that people recognized, either from personal experience or knowing similar children. Coraline showed courage even when scared, which was unusual in the given context, but resonates more today than it did 15 years ago.

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2024-11-01 23:17